Bangers and Mash with Spicy Peppers

 

Do you ever get freaked out about how situational life is sometimes? I totally do. Sometimes you have to make decisions or choices based on limited options. And sometimes you aren't given the perfect option to choose from.  But, because there is a time constraint you just have to make the decision. Its weird how that happens. But would it be better if everything was always idealistic? I think it would be harder. 

I think it's kind of cool because it becomes a situation where it is the best available situation. At that time (it's always about the timing...ya know the phrase, right place, right time?) you are in a position to make a decision. And then given that time you are given choices. Here is where it becomes a bit too philosophical though. If you were five minutes earlier or five minutes later then everything changes. Whoa. Time is a crazy thing.

Sometimes that situation calls for a very classic comfort dish. A bangers and mash with a twist kind of dish. I served these plain 'ol sausages and mashed potatoes with some spicy sweet sauteed peppers. Given that moment in time when I was forced to make a decision, this is what came out. The sweet and spicy side bite of the peppers creates a nice balance with the fairly safe banger and mash combination. At that time I wanted something a bit different to go on the side of something so classic. It's like when you get a collaboration between the rapper Nelly, and country singer Tim McGraw. You get something situational. Would it have happened at any other time? I don't know.

We start with some nice bright peppers and an onion hiding in the back there. Sweet and spicy sunshine.

We start with some onions and boiling the potatoes. I like to leave the skin on the potatoes to give the mash a little something extra.

Saute the onions, add the spicy peppers...

Grill up the bangers. Get them nice and brown and crispy on the outside. That's the way I like them!

Mash up the boiled potatoes (skin in or not is up to you, make it a situational decision).

The peppers stay bright, a little bit of sour cream help to keep the mashed potatoes creamy, and the crispy-grilled sausages complete the plate.

Bangers and Mash with Spicy Peppers
Serves 2

4 Turkey Sausages
4 Medium size white potatoes
1-2 tbsp milk
2 tsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 of each: red pepper, yellow pepper, orange pepper
1 small hot pepper
1/2 medium sweet onion

Directions:
1. Cut the potatoes up into 1-inch cubes. Place into a pot and cover with water. Over high heat bring the water to a boil.
2. Fill another large frying pan with about an inch of water. Bring the water to a boil. Add the sausages and boil for 10 minutes. Drain the water. Continue to fry the sausages over medium high heat for another 5 minutes. On opposite sides of each sausage make two diagonal slices to ensure sausages are cooked through.
3. In a frying pan add 1 tbsp of oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until transparent, about 5 minutes. Slice red, orange and yellow peppers into thin slices. Slice the hot pepper into rings. Add the hot pepper to the onions. Cook for another minute.  Then add the red, orange and yellow peppers and saute until soft, about 3 minutes.
4. Once potatoes are soft, drain water. In the same pot add milk and butter to the potatoes. Mash until smooth.
5. Serve hot. Top mashed potatoes with sour cream, or more butter.